The supply of methamphetamine into Dunedin and Invercargill has been "significantly disrupted" after police arrested five people as part of Operation Leith.
The operation was part of Operation Avon — the investigation into the drug supply activities of the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Operation Leith was a joint investigation between the South Island National Organised Crime Group and the Dunedin and Invercargill Organised Crime Units, with support from numerous specialist squads, including the local armed offenders squads (AOS).
Four men and a woman, aged between 35 and 63, were arrested in a series of recent search warrants over the past three days.
Police seized two home-made tasers and several electronic devices.
The five are facing charges of methamphetamine supply and participating in organised criminal group offences.
A police spokesman said AOS activity in Turnbull St, Brockville, yesterday morning was not related to the operations.
Acting Southern District Criminal Investigations manager Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said the five arrests brought the total number of people arrested and charged in relation to Operation Avon and Leith to 31.
She said the five were not members of the Comancheros, but they allegedly played integral parts in the gang’s drug supply network.
She said numerous reports indicated the supply of illicit drugs into Invercargill and Dunedin had been "significantly disrupted" by the recent police enforcement.
"Community members have approached our teams to express their praise for the recent arrests and results.
"The termination of Operation Leith is a clear message to gang members, their associates and anyone dealing drugs in the Southern District, that we will track you down and hold you to account for your offending," she said.
"Police will work tirelessly to target drug offending and work with our partners to reduce the harm caused by destructive drug dealing behaviour in our communities."
She said the behaviour negatively impacted every single person in the community, it did not discriminate and it would not be tolerated.
She thanked the many members of the community who reported the offending and encouraged people to keep reporting to police.
"These results are testament to their hard work and determination to make our communities safer."
